Kenya national football team facts for kids
Nickname(s) | Harambee Stars | ||
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Association | Football Kenya Federation (FKF) | ||
Confederation | CAF (Africa) | ||
Sub-confederation | CECAFA (Central & East Africa) | ||
Head coach | Engin Fırat | ||
Captain | Michael Olunga | ||
Most caps | Musa Otieno (90) | ||
Top scorer | William Ouma (35) | ||
Home stadium | Moi International Sports Centre | ||
FIFA code | KEN | ||
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FIFA ranking | |||
Current | 106 ![]() |
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Highest | 68 (December 2008) | ||
Lowest | 137 (July 2007) | ||
Elo ranking | |||
Current | 108 ![]() |
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Highest | 60 (November 1983) | ||
Lowest | 140 (August 2011) | ||
First international | |||
![]() ![]() (Nairobi, Kenya; 1 May 1926) |
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Biggest win | |||
![]() ![]() (Nairobi, Kenya; 4 October 1961) |
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Biggest defeat | |||
![]() ![]() (Uganda; 1932) |
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Africa Cup of Nations | |||
Appearances | 7 (first in 1972) | ||
Best result | Group stage (1972, 1988, 1990, 1992, 2004, 2019) | ||
Four Nations Football Tournament | |||
Appearances | 1 (first in 2024) | ||
Best result | Champions (2024) | ||
COSAFA Cup | |||
Appearances | 2 (first in 2013) | ||
Best result | Group stage (2013, 2024) |
The Kenya national football team, also known as the Harambee Stars, plays for Kenya in association football. The team is managed by the Football Kenya Federation. They are part of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and the Council for East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA). The Harambee Stars usually play their home games at the Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi, the capital city.
Contents
About the Harambee Stars Name
The team's nickname, the Harambee Stars, comes from the word Harambee. This is a special Kenyan tradition. It means people come together to help each other, like for fundraising or community projects. In Swahili, "Harambee" means "all pull together." It is also the official motto of Kenya and can be seen on the country's coat of arms.
Team History and Milestones
In 2004, FIFA temporarily stopped Kenya from playing international football. This happened because of problems with how the football federation was being run. The ban was lifted after Kenya agreed to make new rules.
Later, in 2006, Kenya was suspended again for similar issues. FIFA said the ban would stay until the federation followed earlier agreements.
Kenya successfully qualified for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). The coach at that time was Sébastien Migné. Under his leadership, Kenya's FIFA ranking improved, moving back into the top 100 teams worldwide.
In May 2017, the Football Kenya Federation signed a deal with Mafro Sports. This company provides the uniforms for all national teams, including the junior teams. The home jerseys are red, away jerseys are white, and green jerseys are for games played at neutral locations.
On September 8, 2018, Kenya achieved a big win. They beat Ghana, a team that had won the African championship four times, with a score of 1–0.
Coaches of the National Team
Ray Batchelor was the first coach for the national team in 1961. However, some players were not happy with his coaching. This led to him leaving the team during a game in Zanzibar. In 1963, after Kenya became independent, Peter Oronge took over as coach. But he disappeared just before a friendly game against Ghana in 1965. Ray Batchelor had to step in as an emergency coach. That game was Kenya's biggest loss, with Ghana winning 13–2.
Here is a list of coaches who have led the team since 1961:
Ray Batchelor (1961)
Peter Oronge (1963)
Ray Batchelor (1965)
Jack Gibbons (1966)
Elijah Lidonde (1967)
Eckhard Krautzun (1971)
Jonathan Niva (1972)
Ray Wood (1975)
Grzegorz Polakow (1979)
Stephen Yongo (1979)
Marshall Mulwa (1980–83)
Bernhard Zgoll (1984)
Reinhard Fabisch (1987, 1997, 2001–02)
Christopher Makokha (1988)
Mohammed Kheri (1988–90, 1995, 2005)
Gerry Saurer (1992)
Vojo Gardašević (1996)
Abdul Majid (1998)
Christian Chukwu (1998)
James Siang'a (1999–00)
Joe Kadenge (2002)
Jacob "Ghost" Mulee (2003–04, 2007–08, 2010, 2020–2021)
Twahir Muhiddin (2004–05, 2009–10)
Bernard Lama (2006)
Tom Olaba (2006)
Jacob "Ghost" Mulee (2007–08)
Francis Kimanzi (2008–09, 2011–12)
Antoine Hey (2009)
Zedekiah Otieno (2010–11)
Henri Michel (2012)
James Nandwa (2012–13)
Adel Amrouche (2013–14)
Bobby Williamson (2014–16)
Stanley Okumbi (2016–17, 2018)
Paul Put (2017–2018)
Sébastien Migné (2018–2019)
Francis Kimanzi (2019–2020)
Kennedy Odhiambo (2021)
Engin Fırat (2021–present)
Recent Match Results
Here are the results from the last year of matches. Also, any games planned for the future are listed.
Win Draw Loss Fixture
Matches in 2023
2026 FIFA World Cup qualification 16 November | Gabon ![]() |
2–1 | ![]() |
Franceville, Gabon | ||
17:00 UTC+1 | https://www.fifa.com/fifaplus/en/match-centre/match/520/288282/288289/400017607 | Stadium: Stade de Franceville Referee: Mohamed Maarouf Eid Mansour (Egypt) |
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2026 FIFA World Cup qualification 20 November | Seychelles ![]() |
0–5 | ![]() |
Abidjan, Ivory Coast | ||
19:00 UTC±0 | https://www.fifa.com/fifaplus/en/match-centre/match/520/288282/288289/400017611 | Stadium: Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny Referee: Tawel Younoussa Camara (Guinea) |
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Matches in 2024
Friendly 23 March | Malawi ![]() |
0–4 | ![]() |
Lilongwe, Malawi | ||
https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2024/03/23/world/friendlies/malawi/kenya/4336776/ | Stadium: Bingu National Stadium |
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Friendly 26 March | Zimbabwe ![]() |
1–3 | ![]() |
Lilongwe, Malawi | ||
https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2024/03/26/world/friendlies/kenya/zimbabwe/4343907/ | Stadium: Bingu National Stadium |
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2026 FIFA World Cup qualification 7 June | Kenya ![]() |
1–1 | ![]() |
Lilongwe, Malawi | ||
15:00 UTC+2 | https://www.fifa.com/fifaplus/en/match-centre/match/520/288282/288289/400018193 | Stadium: Bingu National Stadium Referee: Jean Ouattara (Burkina Faso) |
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2026 FIFA World Cup qualification 11 June | Kenya ![]() |
0–0 | ![]() |
Lilongwe, Malawi | ||
15:00 UTC+2 | https://www.fifa.com/fifaplus/en/match-centre/match/520/288282/288289/400018194 | Stadium: Bingu National Stadium Attendance: 6,000 Referee: Jalal Jayed (Morocco) |
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2024 COSAFA Cup 27 June | Zambia ![]() |
0–2 | ![]() |
Gqeberha, South Africa | ||
https://cosafa.com/em-fr-pr-kenya-beat-zambia-zimbabwe-pick-up-win-against-comoros/ |
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Stadium: Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium |
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2024 COSAFA Cup 30 June | Kenya ![]() |
0–2 | ![]() |
Gqeberha, South Africa | ||
https://cosafa.com/en-fr-pr-zimbabwe-get-bragging-rights-over-old-foes-zambia/ |
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Stadium: Isaac Wolfson Stadium |
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2024 COSAFA Cup 2 July | Kenya ![]() |
2–0 | ![]() |
Gqeberha, South Africa | ||
12:00 | https://cosafa.com/mozambique-comoros-into-hollywoodbets-cosafa-cup-2024-semis/ | Stadium: Isaac Wolfson Stadium |
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2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualification 6 September | Kenya ![]() |
0–0 | ![]() |
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16:00 UTC+3 | ||||||
Current Players in the Squad
Here are the players chosen for the 2024 COSAFA Cup.
The number of games played (caps) and goals scored are correct as of June 30, 2024. This was after the match against Comoros.
No. | Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club |
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GK | Bryne Odhiambo | 28 November 2000 | 7 | 0 | ![]() |
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GK | Dolph Junior | 8 December 2003 | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
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GK | Ibrahim Wanzala | 16 March 2005 | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
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DF | Alphonce Omija | 9 October 2002 | 3 | 0 | ![]() |
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DF | Sylvester Owino | 6 May 2001 | 2 | 0 | ![]() |
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DF | Amos Wanjala | 2 | 0 | ![]() |
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DF | Paul Ochuoga | 13 September 2004 | 1 | 0 | ![]() |
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DF | Geoffrey Onyango | 1 | 0 | ![]() |
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MF | Rooney Onyango | 8 August 2001 | 9 | 1 | ![]() |
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MF | Chris Erambo | 10 December 2004 | 6 | 0 | ![]() |
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MF | Austin Odhiambo | 16 December 1999 | 3 | 1 | ![]() |
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MF | John Ochieng | 15 December 2003 | 2 | 0 | ![]() |
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MF | Kayci Odhiambo | 28 April 2003 | 2 | 0 | ![]() |
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MF | Patrick Otieno | 24 December 2000 | 2 | 1 | ![]() |
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MF | Aldrine Kibet | 13 June 2006 | 1 | 0 | ![]() |
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MF | Stanley Wilson | 1 | 0 | ![]() |
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MF | William Gitamu | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
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MF | Elly Owande | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
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FW | Benson Omala | 16 October 2001 | 5 | 1 | ![]() |
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FW | Alfred Tanui | 28 December 2002 | 1 | 0 | ![]() |
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FW | Hassan Beja | 26 August 2005 | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
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FW | Jeremy Bissau | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
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FW | Moses Shummah | 27 October 2002 | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
Players Recently Called Up
These players have also been called to the Kenya squad in the last year.
Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club | Latest call-up |
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GK | Brian Bwire | 19 June 2000 | 2 | 0 | ![]() |
2024 COSAFA CupPRE |
GK | Patrick Matasi | 11 December 1987 | 37 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
GK | Ian Otieno | 9 August 1993 | 7 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
GK | Joseph Ochuka | 23 December 1993 | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
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DF | Johnstone Omurwa | 8 August 1998 | 19 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
DF | Aboud Omar | 9 September 1992 | 48 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
DF | Erick Otieno | 27 September 1996 | 42 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
DF | Joseph Okumu | 26 May 1997 | 23 | 1 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
DF | Collins Sichenje | 19 September 2003 | 4 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
DF | Daniel Anyembe | 22 July 1998 | 8 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
DF | Amos Nondi | 10 February 1999 | 12 | 1 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
DF | Daniel Sakari | 25 January 1999 | 16 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
DF | Dennis Ng'ang'a | 3 September 1993 | 2 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
DF | Nabilai Kibunguchy | 5 January 1998 | 1 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
DF | Haniff Wesonga | 1 January 2003 | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
DF | David Ochieng | 7 October 1992 | 40 | 2 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
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MF | Teddy Akumu | 20 October 1992 | 60 | 1 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
MF | Eric Johanna Omondi | 18 August 1994 | 37 | 4 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
MF | Kenneth Muguna | 6 January 1996 | 35 | 2 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
MF | Duke Abuya | 23 March 1994 | 15 | 1 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
MF | Richard Odada | 25 November 2000 | 17 | 1 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
MF | Timothy Ouma | 10 June 2004 | 6 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
MF | Ayub Masika | 10 September 1992 | 32 | 5 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
MF | Duncan Otieno | 26 May 1994 | 13 | 1 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
MF | Alfred Scriven | 26 January 1998 | 2 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
MF | Alpha Chris Onyango | 23 December 2000 | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
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FW | Michael Olunga (captain) | 26 March 1994 | 60 | 29 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
FW | John Avire | 12 March 1997 | 6 | 1 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
FW | Masoud Juma | 3 February 1996 | 22 | 8 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
FW | Clifton Miheso | 5 February 1993 | 46 | 7 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
FW | Hassan Abdallah | 6 July 1996 | 19 | 6 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
FW | Elvis Rupia | 12 April 1995 | 4 | 1 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
INJ Withdrew due to injury |
Team Records
These tables show the players with the most games played and the most goals scored for Kenya.
- Players in bold are still playing for Kenya.
Most Games Played (Caps)
Rank | Player | Caps | Goals | Career |
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1 | Musa Otieno | 90 | 9 | 1993–2009 |
2 | Jonathan Niva | 88 | 10 | 1965–1976 |
3 | Allan Thigo | 81 | 11 | 1969–1978 |
4 | John Nyawanga | 80 | 17 | 1965–1976 |
5 | Dennis Oliech | 76 | 34 | 2002–2015 |
6 | Robert Mambo Mumba | 72 | 13 | 2000–2009 |
7 | Titus Mulama | 71 | 8 | 2001–2012 |
8 | Francis Onyiso | 70 | 0 | 1996–2011 |
9 | Wilberforce Mulamba | 68 | 14 | 1978–1988 |
James Siang'a | 68 | 0 | 1963–1975 |
Top Goal Scorers
Rank | Player | Goals | Caps | Ratio | Career |
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1 | William Ouma | 35 | 66 | 0.53 | 1965–1977 |
2 | Dennis Oliech | 34 | 76 | 0.45 | 2002–2015 |
3 | Elijah Lidonde | 33 | 26 | 1.27 | 1950–1961 |
4 | Michael Olunga | 30 | 62 | 0.48 | 2015–present |
5 | Ali Kajo | 26 | 32 | 0.81 | 1959–1969 |
Livingstone Madegwa | 26 | 49 | 0.53 | 1964–1972 | |
7 | Joe Kadenge | 25 | 63 | 0.4 | 1957–1970 |
8 | John Baraza | 21 | 52 | 0.4 | 2002–2011 |
9 | Daniel Nicodemus | 17 | 34 | 0.5 | 1963–1972 |
Mike Origi | 17 | 48 | 0.35 | 1990–2004 | |
John Nyawanga | 17 | 80 | 0.21 | 1965–1976 |
Tournament History
FIFA World Cup Appearances
FIFA World Cup record | Qualification record | |||||||||||||||
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Year | Round | Position | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | ||
1962 to 1970 | Did not enter | Declined participation | ||||||||||||||
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Did not qualify | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 9 | 8 | |||||||||
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2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | ||||||||||
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2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 6 | ||||||||||
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4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 6 | 10 | ||||||||||
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6 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 4 | ||||||||||
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2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 4 | ||||||||||
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8 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 13 | 14 | ||||||||||
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2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | ||||||||||
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12 | 4 | 2 | 6 | 11 | 17 | ||||||||||
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12 | 4 | 1 | 7 | 13 | 16 | ||||||||||
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8 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 11 | 5 | ||||||||||
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4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 4 | ||||||||||
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6 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 9 | ||||||||||
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To be determined | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 7 | 3 | |||||||||
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To be determined | |||||||||||||||
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Total | 0/16 | 77 | 25 | 20 | 32 | 86 | 102 |
African Nations Championship
Africa Cup of Nations record | ||||||||
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Year | Round | Position | Pld | W | D* | L | GF | GA |
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Did not qualify | |||||||
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Qualified as co-hosts | |||||||
Total | TBD | 1/8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Africa Cup of Nations
Africa Cup of Nations record | ||||||||
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Year | Round | Position | Pld | W | D* | L | GF | GA |
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Not affiliated to CAF | |||||||
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Did not qualify | |||||||
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Group stage | 5th | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 4 |
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Did not qualify | |||||||
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Did not enter | |||||||
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Did not qualify | |||||||
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Group stage | 8th | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 6 |
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8th | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 | |
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9th | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 5 | |
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Did not qualify | |||||||
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Withdrew | |||||||
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Did not qualify | |||||||
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Group stage | 11th | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 6 |
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Did not qualify | |||||||
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Group stage | 17th | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 7 |
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Did not qualify | |||||||
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Disqualified due to FIFA suspension | |||||||
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To be determined | |||||||
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Qualified as co-hosts | |||||||
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To be determined | |||||||
Total | Group stage | 7/36 | 17 | 2 | 4 | 11 | 11 | 31 |
African Games
Year | Round | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA |
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2nd | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 7 | 6 |
Team Achievements
Continental Honors
Regional Honors
- CECAFA Cup
See also
In Spanish: Selección de fútbol de Kenia para niños